The Apollo robotic combines humanoid {hardware} and AI. Supply: Apptronik
A yr stuffed with humanoid robotic information is ending with extra developments. Apptronik Inc. in the present day introduced that it has partnered with the Google DeepMind robotics workforce. The businesses mentioned the strategic partnership will mix synthetic intelligence with robotics {hardware}, enabling humanoids to be extra useful to individuals in dynamic environments.
“We’re constructing a future the place humanoid robots handle pressing international challenges,” asserted Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of Apptronik. “By combining Apptronik’s cutting-edge robotics platform with the Google DeepMind robotics workforce’s unparalleled AI experience, we’re creating clever, versatile, and secure robots that may remodel industries and enhance lives.”
Different firms engaged on advancing AI and humanoids embody Hillbot, Persona AI, LimX Dynamics, NVIDIA, and Sanctuary AI.
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Apollo the fruits of Apptronik design work
Spun out of the Human Centered Robotics Lab on the College of Texas at Austin in 2016, Apptronik now has 150 workers. The firm mentioned it has practically a decade of expertise in human-centered design and {hardware} designed for security and reliability. Its workforce has labored on 15 earlier robots, together with NASA’s Valkyrie Robotic.
Apptronik has developed the Apollo humanoid to carry out bodily demanding duties and function safely in industrial areas alongside people. The robotic is 5 ft., 8 in. (172.2 cm) tall and weighs 160 lb. (72.5 kg).
Apollo is designed to stability complexity and performance for preliminary utility in manufacturing and logistics, mentioned the corporate. The robotic earned Apptronik a 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for its bespoke linear actuators.
Quite a few firms are creating humanoids, corresponding to 1X, Agility Robotics, Boston Dynamics, Determine AI, Fourier, Realbotix, Tesla, and Unitree, however comparatively few have moved to business trials to date.
In March, Mercedes-Benz mentioned it’s testing Apollo in automotive manufacturing. In April, Apptronik introduced that it is integrating its system with NVIDIA’s Undertaking GR00T basis mannequin for robotic studying and agility.
In June, Apptronik mentioned GXO Logistics Inc. is testing its humanoid for warehouse use. GXO has additionally deployed Agility Robotics’ Digit and is testing Reflex Robotics’ “general-purpose” humanoid.
Apptronik’s said objective is to ultimately serve in healthcare and within the dwelling. Parker Conroy, director of product at Apptronik, spoke at RoboBusiness 2024 about AI and humanoids.
GXO Logistics is testing the Apollo humanoid. Supply: Apptronik
Google DeepMind builds robotic brains
Google DeepMind mentioned its robotics workforce brings collectively experience in machine studying, engineering, and physics simulation to deal with the toughest challenges going through the event of AI-powered robots. The London-based unit of Alphabet Inc. claimed that it’s creating “AI techniques that may assist robotics purposes, enabling reasoning and motion in the actual world.”
The robotics workforce at DeepMind has pioneered basis fashions and developed AI fashions corresponding to Gemini for robotics (see video under). The Athena Lecturer Award has acknowledged Maja Matarić, a principal scientist at Google DeepMind, for her work with socially assistive robots.
DeepMind lately shared its progress with the ALOHA Unleashed platform for serving to robots be taught to carry out complicated two-armed manipulation duties. The corporate additionally constructed DemoStart to enhance the efficiency of a multi-fingered robotic hand with simulation.
Apptronik mentioned its partnership with Google DeepMind builds on its momentum, with extra collaborations to be introduced subsequent yr.